CD Article: 2007 Toyota Camry

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:


Loosely translated, the Japanese term 'tumara nai' means "that which is boring or uninspired." And according to Koji Sato, who worked as Assistant Chief Engineer on the 2007 Toyota Camry, it pretty accurately describes every generation of the company's bread-and-butter sedan since the nameplate's introduction in 1983.     More...

[a4_tom]

LE's interior looks the best of all 3, both in pics and real life.

[G0dspd]

The previous Camry looked "bloated" ... this one is a fatty  .

The LE interior does indeed look the best ... the Black/Grey scheme helps a lot.  Why are the dials not visible in the other interiors? ... digital dials optional   The center console has too much "hidden" storage areas and what's up with that crack in the dash on the passenger's side.  Also, the automatic shifter is right beside the drivers leg while the manual shifter is a few inches to the right ... away from the driver. 

The wood trims in the XLE ... 

[Prius]

I saw the LE interior at the auto show. Looks bland. The XLE I saw at the dealer was a bit more pleasing. The LE has no cover for the box behind the shifter whereas the XLE has a cover with woodtrim. Also, where the XLE has rear vents, the LE has some open cubby hole. Weird.

The dials on the SE and LE are manual. The XLE pic has dual-zone automatic climate control.

The manual shifter is further away cause you guys want the handbrake and despise the footbrake.

[smainville]

Spent the weekend in Kingston for a hockey tournament and lot's of time to kill, so I did some checking out.  Wow, this Camry is a beauty inside and out, the SE interior in leather is my pick.  Only the Accord and Passat is close to this and the others are way way off, especially the Sonata, man does it look ordinary now.    Next Nissan introduces the Altima in New York, should be interesting to see.

[chrischasescars]

Why are the dials not visible in the other interiors? ... digital dials optional

The gauges in the LE and XLE light up when the car is started.

The interior is better looking in person. And like Prius stated, the manual shifter is over there to make room for the handbrake. It looks like a reach, but it's really not. The auto shifter is actually closer than it needs to be.

[Shnak]

I don't like digital gauges like that... give me the standard gauges well lighted and that's all I want.

As for the positionning of the auto and manual shifters, it really is odd that they aren't in the center... the auto is on the left, the manual on the right.... really is weird. I would definitely have the automatic shifter rubbing against my right knee...

And look at the cheap buttons to adjust the mirrors... really seems like a part that's coming out of a 1998 Echo or something.

I don't know... the whole interior of this new Camry leaves me cold. I much much much prefer the one of the 3-4 year old Accord, and of course the new Passat.

  to Toyota for this one.

[avro206]

still looks boring, ugly and bloated.

I see they have finally gave it some power. About time. Wonder if it takes premuim like all other Toyota V6's.

[Bullet Blue]

I like the design. The old design was looking tired. The interiors aren't bad, not quite what I expected from toyota, but in a different kind of way. The only one i'd be interested in is the SE MT. And as shnak pointed out, it seems a little odd having the stick shift to the right of the console  I don't know If i could drive comfortably like that which might be a deal breaker.

[Howswedeitis]

still looks boring, ugly and bloated.

I see they have finally gave it some power. About time. Wonder if it takes premuim like all other Toyota V6's.

Boring is the word...I can't see anyone being excited about this car except maybe those who
are just satisfied with reliable transportation. Toyota has a problem in that their cars in general
attract an older demographic. This car will sell but it certainly isnt going to inspire younger buyers
to visit Toyota showrooms.

[safristi]

I'll see your CAMRY XLE ($37,000) and RAISE you an AVALON ($ few dollars more)........Bluffing !!!!

[haris]

Nothing original.
Not being able to turn off the electronic nanny gets a big

[ovr50]

still looks boring, ugly and bloated.

I see they have finally gave it some power. About time. Wonder if it takes premuim like all other Toyota V6's.

That is inaccurate - "all other Toyota V6's" do NOT require premium, they run fine on regular 87, but if 91 is used, the performance of the engine would be a bit sharper. This is common among Japanese engines.

[safristi]

GAWD the East westerners have their Kimonos inna BUNCH eh!!!...SO_LARA_ITCHY_BAN_GOOD_TA_KNOW_TOY_ODA......

[y2chuck]

I think the new Camry is 1000% better in the looks dept than previous gen.  Love the XLE interior as well.  I wonder what the re-designed Solara is going to look like.

I think the styling is going to turn-off the average joe car buyer tho. I know a few non-car people who turned their nose up at the new accord for it's non-box-like styling and this Camry is a lot more sporty looking than the Accord IMO.

The 07 Camry would definitely be on my list if I was mid-size shopping.  I didn't consider testing one last year when I bought the Mazda6.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Anything is better than that barge of an outgoing Camry. At least it's proportioned now, even if largesse - hey, some people need the room, and it's not half bad lookin'. The V6 is probably the best part of this car to me, and the SE package for all it offers.

The SE interior is far and away my favourite - from the colour scheme (less blah bland), to the steering wheel, to the seat material. It all looks good.

The base Camry is a good effort too, considering the price.

The XLE Camry cannot be forgiven for that birch-ish overly shiney wood stuff. Terribly tacky.

The interiors of the Camry look better in photos than they do in person to me. They are better than the interiors in many mid-sized cars, and the room is decent, but they're not aww inspiring or anything. I guess it just takes more to please me, but the Honda Fit interior wowed me more than the Camry in materials and feel. That translucent blue-ish instrumentation in the console is cool, but man the font of those buttons is huge.

Camry is finally something I'd consider shopping, but I don't think it'd be my top pick in segment. I'd go Accord or Passat still, although the Camry SE could tempt me over the Accord - I'd have to have more time with it.

[AVToller]

I have to agree with SAM. The plood in the XLE is inexcusable - looks like something from GM. 

[Shnak]

I have to agree with SAM. The plood in the XLE is inexcusable - looks like something from GM.

Well considering Toyota is becoming the new GM, it's not that surprising! 

[Benhaze]

I have to agree with SAM. The plood in the XLE is inexcusable - looks like something from GM. 

Funny because I could swear the local Nissan dealer has a 2005 Pathfinder LE with the same fake wood that makes you want to 

Too bad the SE V6 is not available with a manual trans... 

At least the dash doesn't like it was design by Buick anymore...

[Oz]

I saw a brand new black Camry sitting at an intersection the other day. My first reaction was to do a crazy headspin as I couldnt place the car. It looked mean, very mean. I'd say I dig it... The new engine makes my Mazda6 feel inadequate in terms of power to say the least.